THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE
WORLD –NEWS

THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD EXHIBIT IS ARRIVING BACK TO
EUROPE:BUDAPEST,
PRÓFÉTA GALÉRIA 23 MARCH – 26 APRIL 2013

The
most successful Finnish photography project of all time will be on
display
in Budapest from March 23 to April 26, 2013, courtesy of Finnagora, The
Finnish Institute in Budapest. The exhibition will arrive in Budapest
from
Ottawa, Canada and Washington, D.C. and New York, United States as part
of its international tour in Europe and North America.

The Loveliest Girl in the
World can be seen in its entirety at Próféta
Galéria. Finland and the ambassador of Finland in Budapest, Mr.
Pasi Tuominen, host the exhibition to emphasize the meaning of human
rights and welfare of children.

THE LOVELIEST
GIRL IN THE WORLD EXHIBIT TOUCHES AMERICAN AUDIENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Reviews:

WASHINGTON POST:"The 120 photos in "The
Loveliest Girl in the World" (out of about 70,000 Savolainen has made) depict not
just the grandeur of the
Finnish wilderness and the subjects – fairy-tale scenarios. They also show the process of gaining trust and
confidence. The photographs
represent the appeal of a modern fairy-tale moral: that people can take real strength from their invented
selves."Read
the article

WASHINGTON CITY PAPER:"The photographs capture
teenage girls from Finland posing in settings that look like they come from dark fairy
tales - autumnal forests,
frozen waterfalls, snowy valleys and isolated rock outcroppings. The project consisted of 70,000 frames, many
so deeply personal that they
are too opaque for the viewer to penetrate. The most visually striking images are impressive. Savolainen has
taught more than 3,000
professionals in Finland to use photography in social work, health care and education - a good thing, both
for the subjects and
ultimately for the viewer."Read
the article

HUFFINGTON POST:"Photographer Miina
Savolainen's beautiful award-winning images portray the coming-of-age passages of ten
girls growing up in a
children's home. Taken in the remote corners of Finland, the images show natural beauty in all its forms. The
photographs and the act of
taking them also act as art therapy, telling the girls and the viewer, "Everyone is entitled to feel precious
and loved."Read
the article

WASHINGTON DIPLOMAT:"Visitors to "The Loveliest
Girl in the World? photography exhibition can expect to enter a reception hall
flooded with light and
inspiration. Billed as the most successful Finnish photography projectof all time, the exhibition is
a culmination of the decade she spent traveling about 200,000 kilometers by
car, on foot, and via snowshoe
and rowboat. She began the project when she was just 24. Whether a smoky forest floor, a Lapland snowstorm,
a frigid lake, a hollow tree,
an autumn field, a cityscape, an abandoned house, or a sea cave of sorts, Savolainen´s landscapes are
arguably as eye-catching as her
human subjects. "They hadn´t been looked at in a listening and
loving way before," Savolainen
explained to me in a private tour of the exhibition now on display as part of Kids Euro Festival and
FotoWeek D.C. "They´ve seen a chaotic and cruel world. Through these
photography journeys", she
said, "they could see the world as beautiful, and see themselves another way - as beautiful, valuable and
precious"."Read
the article

THE FIRST
FEMALE AMBASSADOR OF FINLAND IN
UNITED STATES HOSTS THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD EXHIBITION ON
OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 13.

The most successful Finnish photography project of all time is on
display in Washington, D.C. from October 19 to November 13, 2011,
courtesy of the Embassy of Finland in United States. The exhibition is
part of the Foto Week DC and EuroKids festivals and arrives in
Washington as a part of its North and South American tour. The
Loveliest Girl in the World can be seen in its entirety at the
Embassy of Finland. The exhibit comes from Ottawa, Canada and it will
continue to New York, Mexico City, Santiago de Chile, Hong Kong and
Lissabon as part of its
international tour. Finland and the first female
ambassador of Finland in United States, Mrs. Ritva Koukku-Ronde, host
the exhibition to stress the importance of gender equality and
empowerment of women and girls.

”The Embassy of Finland
is proud to present Miina Savolainen’s perceptive
photography, which beautifully illustrates young
women’s passages to adulthood and self-acceptance.
I am convinced that this exhibition speaks to anyone interested in the
intricate process that shapes individuals into
full-fledged adults. The exhibition also highlights gender
equality and women’s societal roles in subtle,
innovative ways.” Ambassador Ritva Koukku-Ronde

The creator of the exhibit,
artist and social educator Miina Savolainen will guide visitors through
the exhibition October 22 – 23 and November 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lectures on empowerment of girls
and women through photography will be held on October 20–21 and
November 11. Artist Miina
Savolainen will discuss the touching story of the project with an
introduction to the method of empowering photography.

THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD PHOTO EXHIBITION
CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF INTERNATIONAL WOMAN´S WORLS
-CONFERENCE´S GUEST IN OTTAWA

The most successful Finnish photography project of all time is on
display in Ottawa until September 2nd, courtesy of the Embassy of
Finland in Canada. The exhibition is part of the international Women’s
Worlds conference, hosted by University of Ottawa and Carleton
University, and it is the biggest cultural export project of the
Finnish Embassy so far. This year the conference, celebrating its
thirtieth birthday, focuses especially on global women’s human rights,
equality, and empowerment. Finland, in cooperation with other Nordic
countries, wishes to stress the importance of women and the education
of girls as part of the process of developing countries striving
towards a better future.

The embassies of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland in Ottawa
organized in cooperation a Nordic reception for the guests of the
conference at the Loveliest Girl in the World exhibition, and the
audience, representing 92 nationalities, was dazzled by the works of
art and the stories behind them. Over 2000 people working to promote
equality and to better the human rights of women and girls took part in
the Women’s Worlds conference. The message of The Loveliest Girl in the
World – that every individual is important; that every child has the
right to be seen and heard – has proved to be a universal theme,
indeed. It is a theme that was embraced by participants from developing
and wealthy nations alike. The importance of this message has been
recognized In Finland, as well, where the exhibition has received
numerous awards and attracted record attendances. The book that tells
the story of the exhibition is the most successful Finnish photography
book of all time.

The Loveliest Girl in the World –exhibition can be seen in its entirety
in Ottawa until September 2nd. Built into the Old City Hall’s Sussex
Gallery and Sussex Lobby, this is the first time the exhibition has
left Europe. Opened on May 26th, the exhibition has been extended for
eight weeks. After this, The Loveliest Girl in the World will continue
its North American tour and head to Washington, D.C.

Extended guidings:Artist Miina Savolainen will
guide visitors through the exhibition and
sign copies of the Loveliest Girl in the World –book on Wednesday 31.th
August form 16.00 to 19.00 and Thursday and Friday, 1-2 September from
12:00 to 20:00. Free Entry.

”Dear
Miina, I am so very proud of you. Your art, your support of girls and women, I can´t
explain all of the emotions I feel for your work. Please let all of your models
know how beautiful they are and what a priviledge bestowed upon them
to be such an important part of art history and
women´s history.” ANTOINETTE ZLOTY, CONGRESS OF
BLACK WOMEN OF CANADA"O, the World we live in, so
full of beauty, so full of pain. Thank you for recognizing both and doing
awareness."ANJA SCHLOTMAN, U.S.A."I have been privileged to walk
on this journey - to be part of an amazing story of survival,
victory and beauty. Thank you."CEBILE MARZINI-HERWOOD,
SWAZILAND"I feel like you have captured
a picture that see´s into these girls souls and I am humbled by just looking at them. I am inspired and
reminded of just how important INNER beauty is.
Thank You." ENYA, SWEDEN"Dear Miina, I want to
share that I really understand your work. I grew up with parents and everything but I always
felt orphan. Nobody ever took me photos, and it´s not easy for me to feel comfortable for
camera. I have grown up for good but still shy for photos. Thank you ´cause through
out your work I felt like a princess, too."KARINA SOLTERA, MEXICO"This exhibit makes me believe
that someday, somehow, someone will take a picture of me that I will look at and love. Thank you for the
art and the love you have given the young women
and world."Love, TANYA, U.S.A."All I can say is wow! I have a
daughter of a similar age and as I look at the pictures I know why it is so important to tell
her every day how much I love her and also to let her know that she is special and
that I believe that she can achieve anything. Thank you so much for this this
work which gave them emfidence and freedom to pursue who they really are.
They are really beautiful!"MANON BEAULIEU, CANADA

THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD -EXHIBIT IN CANADA 26.5.–2.9.2011

The Loveliest Girl in the World – an award winning Finnish
photography exhibit with record breaking attendance figures at home,
will be at the Sussex Gallery of the Old City Hall in Ottawa May 26th –
September 2nd, 2011, courtesy of the Embassy of Finland. The exhibit is
part
of Women’s Worlds 2011 Conference hosted by Carleton University and
University of Ottawa. The exhibit will travel to Washington D.C. United
States on Ocktober.

- The artist Miina
Savolainen will guide visitors through the exhibition 5th July
and 7th-8th July from
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sussex Gallery, Old City Hall. 111 Sussex
Drive, Ottawa. Free
Entrance.

Women´s Worlds conference
lecture in July:www.womensworlds.ca

- Monday July 4th - 5-6.30pm The Loveliest Girl in
The World – To become visible. A decade lasting photography project with
maltreated girls. UCUAgora, 85 University
Private, Ottawa.

- The artist, Miina Savolainen
is available at The Loveliest Girl in the World- stand daily
4th–7th July from 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Conference Arts and
Culture center, University of Ottawa (Jock Turcot University
Centre, Main Floor), 85 University Private.
The Exhibit is open
daily 8am–20pm. Free entrance. 111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa,
ON.

THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD
-EVENING IN SUOMALAINEN KIRJAKAUPPA AT OULU 1.4.

Suomalainen Kirjakauppa at Oulu Rotuaari arranges The
Loveliest Girl in the World -author evening on Wednesday 1.4. at 5pm.
Experiences of The Loveliest Girl in the World -photograph project is
shared with pictures and words by book's author, photographer Miina
Savolainen. After the occation listeners can get artist's autograph and
inscription in their own The Loveliest Girl in the World -book.

THE LOVELIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD RECEIVED "THE FINEST FINNISH BOOKS IN
2008" -AWARD IN ILLUSTRATED WORKS CATEGORY

Finnish Book Arts Comittee has awarded the last year's most
beautiful books at 12.3.2009. The Loveliest Girl in the World -book
received the award in illustrated works category.
Board's argumentation: "This piece of art work invites instantly to
leaf through the pages. It is the cornucopia of printing technology and
desktop publishing. Photographs and illustrated art together bring
alive fairytale dream world. Darker colourful pages makes also good
point of the serious side of the subject and meaning of many years
spent with this project.

DUODECIM'S BOOK ABOUT
PHOTOGRAPH THERAPY IS ISSUED AT 3.2

The first Finnish written collection of articles about
photograph therapy named Valokuvan terapeuttinen voima (toim. Ulla
Halkola et al.), is issued at 3.2. The book contains the article of
Empowering photography by Miina Savolainen. The book is published
by Duodecim.

Empowering Photography -web pages has
been visited by over 65000 visitors

In the beginning of January, the number of separate visitors
in our web pages (www.empoweringphotography.net) have esceeded over 65
000 visitors. Versatility of the web pages has received good feedback.
E. g. teachers and social workers have found the pages useful in their
work.

The Loveliest Girl in the World -art
book has been published

The art book The Loveliest Girl in the World has been
published in 12.12.2008. The book has sold exceptionally well and has
been warmly welcomed by readers and also by media. "This must be the
most touching art book of the year." (Ilkka-newspaper)

Miina Savolainen was interviewed in TV1 program
"EPÄKORREKTIA, TUOMAS ENBUSKE!: The children should be taken away
from the bad parents!" Program dealed with daily routines of foster
family and social welfare's point of view. Miina Savolaisen was
interviewed last summer in Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, Turku,
where the art exhibition of the Loveliest Girl in the World took place.

Art exhibitions of empowering
photography has been seen over 40 000 people in Finland

Over 40 000 people in Finland has visited the community art
exhibitions "The Loveliest Girl in the World" and "Father - empowering
photography", which are based on the method of the empowering
photography.

FATHER - empowering photography was a
hit in Jugend Hall

FATHER - empowering photography was the most popular
exhibition in 2007 in the Jugend Hall, Helsinki. The exhibition touched
some 18 258 visitors. Unlike usually, the exhibition attracted many
different kinds of people.

Father of the year 2007 was
awarded at the Jugend Hall

Father of the year 2007 - award ceremony was held at the
Jugend Hall while the Father - empowering photography - exhibition was
there. Award was given by Minister of Health and Social Services Paula
Risikko to social educator Jouni Lehmonen. The Father of the year was
chosen for the second time. The patron of the Father of the year -
award is doctor Pentti Arajärvi.

State Award for
Children´s Culture 2006

The Arts Council of Finland has awarded photographer Miina
Savolainen with the State Award for Children´s Culture 2006. The
prize was presented by the Minister of Culture Tanja Saarela on 17th
November 2006. The State Award for Children´s Culture is an
acknowledgement for meritorious work during the last three years
or long-lasting worthy work for children's culture. The
prize is 15 000 euros.
State Award for Children´s Culture

The Loveliest Girl in the World in the Inhimillinen
Tekijä -TV programme

Two of the loveliest girls in the world, Jenna Pystö and Monna
Makkonen, and photographer Miina Savolainen were guests on the Finnish
Broadcasting Network's Yle Inhimillinen Tekijä -TV programme,
where they were telling about the meaning of the photography process.
The documentary was aired first time on TV2 on 28th November 2004 and
(it was broadcasted twize as uusintana). The touching programme
gathered a lot of heartfelt feedback, that was especially aimed at
Jenna and Monna, who were brave enough to share their lives with the
viewers.

The Culture Award of Finnish Medical
Society Duodecim

Finnish Medical Society
Duodecim has awarded photographer Miina Savolainen, her project The
Loveliest Girl in the World and the method of empowering photography
with their annual culture award. The award of 5 000 euros was presented
on 17th of November 2005 in Jyväskylä as a part of the
Health, sickness and culture -seminar. The Culture Award of Finnish
Medical Society Duodecim is granted to a person or a team, who has
remarkably promoted understanding of the connection between health,
sickness and culture in the society. The Award has previously been
presented to artist Rafael Wardi, author and politician Claes Andersson
and actor Kari Heiskanen.

The Young Photographer of the Year
-award 2005

Miina Savolainen was awarded with The Young Photographer of
the Year -award on 8th June 2005. This prize is presented in
alternate years with the Fotofinlandia-prize. The previous The Young
Photographer of the Year -prize was presented to Tiina Itkonen and her
Inughuit-series on
2003. Itkonen has documented the life of polareskimos in Greenland.

The
Loveliest Girl in the World -degree

Miina Savolainen's Master of Arts degree for the of
University of Art and Design in Helsinki was reviewed on 6th June
2005. The inspectors of The Loveliest Girl in the World –
empowering photography -degree were Marjatta Bardy from National
Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) and
Juha Varto from the Arts Education department. The degree is
dealing with the meanings of the Loveliest Girl in the World
-process and the therapeutic means of photography as well as the method
of empowering photography. The 241-page book is available in Finnish
also for a long-distance loan from Aralis-library in the address
Hämeentie 135 A, 00560 Helsinki, Finland.

The Loveliest Girl in the World
-documentary

A documentary film has been made about one of the girls
participating in the the Loveliest Girl in the World -project, Tiina
Siitonen. It is a part of a series of minidocumentaries for the Finnish
Broadcasting Network Yle. The documentary is called the Loveliest
Girl in the World and it's duration is 13 minutes. The film tells the
story of Tiina growing up to be a mother and it also explains the
background of the project. The documentary was aired on TV2 on 28th
November 2004. It is directed by Anna Laine and produced by Naked
Productions.

Leikin pikkujättiläinen -book

An article by Miina Savolainen, The Loveliest Child in the
world – photography in the family was published in Leikin
pikkujättiläinen -book by WSOY Publishing in 2004. The
article deals with the method of empowering photography from the
viewpoint of a family with children. The book is edited by Liisa
Piironen.

Vision of the Year -award 2004

The Green Cultural and Educational Centre Vision of the Year
-award 2004 was granted to arts- and socialeducator Miina
Savolainen for the method of empowering photography and the Loveliest
Girl in the World -project that she has carried out with ten girls and
young women who grew up in Hyvönen's children's home in Helsinki.
The acknowledgement was granted for developing a therapeutical arts
education method that can be applied to both individuals as well as
communities. The examples that the Loveliest Girl in the World
presents, such as equality, equivalence, trust, tolerance and
self-acceptance also counted. Vision of the Year -award was presented
for the 8th time on 19th March 2004 in Café Photo in Helsinki.
The Visions of the Year accepted the award happily smiling.

Spotlight of the Year special
prize of the jury 2003

The Loveliest Girl in the World -project and exhibition were
awarded with Spotlight of the Year special prize of the jury 2003
-award that was 1 000 euros. The prize delighted not only the
recipients themselves but also the people close to the awarded. The
culture department of the Finnish Broadcasting Network grants the
Spotlight of the Year -award to a cultural achievement, that has
shaked, refreshed, changed, delighted or promoted the finnish cultural
life nationwide.